[Ahem... the actual title of today's Blog post was supposed to be something like "My belated birthday's culinary adventures" but, I gushed, okay?]
I woke up at 7:00 AM and checked outside. It looks like we got about three inches of snow so far, but its still falling. So, I turned on the local news and listened to the weather report. Seems that the Alberta Clipper has stalled over Michigan and now the Severe Weather Warning has been extended northward as well. It supposed to snow all day and into tomorrow morning! Yikes!!!
But, as I said yesterday, I have errands to run. So, after two cups of fresh coffee, I took my shower and headed out. The roads were TERRIBLE!!! Nothing was plowed, nothing was salted. I made it to the barber at 9:00 AM exactly. After that, I went, slipping and sliding, to Westborn for my veggies.
I must admit, I have enjoyed trying to eat up the salad fixin's I had left over from the ladies visit. I am also trying to use up their store-bought salad dressings (they will go bad before the ladies return), although I must admit, I prefer a decent olive oil, salt and a squeeze of lemon juice over crisp greens as a dressing, personally.
So, I bought more Romaine hearts and some California red leaf lettuce for my coming week's salads.
Then, more slipping and sliding to get to Meijer's. I was shocked! There were so few people there, it was unbelievable! I got a parking space next to the entrance door and shopped with no mad crowds. For a Saturday, this was just too weird!
This snow is insidious, BTW. It is light and with very small flakes, so you would think its nothing, but after every stop, I had to clean off the snow and ice from the car windows before I could drive. This snow is relentless!
I was back at home before 11:00 AM. I treated the cats and put away the groceries. I did call Jake and told him he could reconsider tonight's journey (this is supposed to be the re-schedule of my birthday "mystery trip"). He said no, that things have been put into motion that cannot be stopped.
Hmmm... I am imagining they got me a hooker for the night, but that could just be wishful thinking...
With the groceries put away, it's time to tackle the headlights. So, I did. As I said, they are and were a pain in the butt. Eventually, though, I got them both in, tested and working!
Then I ate my breakfast/lunch: some scrambled eggs and an onion bagel with cream cheese. Next on my agenda was to take a nap. I have no idea what is going to happen tonight, but I know I don't want to fall asleep early!
I set my alarm for 3:30 PM. When it went off, I woke up and then shaved and showered for the second time today. I got dressed and then packed an overnight bag. I left for their house at 4:30 PM (I am supposed to be there by 5:00 and it's normally a 20 minute trip).
But, the roads were still awful! I don't think I ever got over 25 miles per hour and I didn't get there until 5:20 PM!!! They were already in their car, waiting. So, they pulled out and I pulled in, hopped in their car, and we went back out into the storm. We headed south until we caught I94 and then headed east to the "D" (Detroit). Again, even the expressways were not plowed or salted. Everybody just sorta made their own lanes and drove as fast (or slow) as they dared.
Jake kept giving me hints about where we were going, but it wasn't until he said "Picture a maniacal laugh and a soul patch" that I said, "Michael Symon?" But, that makes no sense. His two restaurants are in Cleveland!
It turns out that when they remodeled the historic Book Cadillac Hotel in Detroit, they approached him about opening up a restaurant here. Now included in the National Register of Historic Places, the Italian Renaissance-style hotel, built by Detroit's famous Book brothers, was the tallest building in Detroit and the tallest hotel in the world at its completion in 1924. I would bet my Mom remembers when it opened!
And, who is Michael Symon? Well, in 1997 he was named National Rising Star by Restaurant Hospitality magazine. And he has been rising ever since with a multitude of awards and critical acclaim for the two Cleveland restaurants he owns with wife and partner Liz Symon: Lola and Lolita. Last year Symon won the Food Network's Next Iron Chef of America competition and was recently nominated by the James Beard Foundation for 2007 Best Chef-Great Lakes region that includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. His menu focuses on the art of sourcing and preparing artisanal and heritage meats. Iron Chef America is, of course, one of my favorite Sunday night shows and how I know him.
When we got there, the normal entrance to the hotel was clogged with photographers, Germans and police. It was the arrival of the top echelon of the Mercedes Company for the Auto show. So, we were redirected to another entrance.
Once inside and after a very necessary bathroom break, we made our way through the milling crowds to "Roast," Michael's restaurant. Where we were seated gave us a perfect view into the open kitchen.
Jake ordered our appetizers: Beef Cheek Pierogies (Horseradish and Mushrooms) and the Roasted Marrow (Sea Salt, Oregano, Capers and Chilies). The Roasted Marrow was outstanding! It was about an 8-inch bone, split in half. You dug out the marrow with little spoons and put it on thin slices of toast, topping it with the capers and chilies and a spray of lemon juice. While we were eating that, Jake pointed out that Michael Symon had just stepped out of the kitchen!
Now, as you probably already know, most big-name chefs are NOT in the kitchen cooking or even in the place at all (like when we went to Wolfgang Puck's restaurant). But, here he was! He stopped and chatted at a few tables and then made his way into the bar. Carla left for the bathroom and she returned with Michael in tow.
I have never really understood the term "star-struck" until that moment. I did manage to say, "I'm John" when he shook my hand and said, "Hi! I'm Michael." But that was it! I just gaped at him. Even at this moment, I am kicking myself and thinking of clever things I should have said, but, at that moment, nothing! He complimented us on our choice of the roast marrow (he said it was his favorite dish) and finally moved on.
Speaking of moving on, I better. So, here's what we each had to eat (after the appetizers, of course):
Carla -
Mixed Green Salad (Shaved Onion, Grape Tomatoes and Red Wine Vinaigrette), Roast Burger (Bacon, Cheddar & a Fried Egg) and a side of Rosemary Fries.
Jake -
Roast Chop Salad (Chick Peas, Pickled Peppers, Salami, Taleggio, Creamy Dressing), Braised Lamb Shank (Gremolata, Fennel & Tomato) and a side of Soft Polenta.
Yours truly -
Warm Spinach Salad (Fried Egg, Mushrooms, Bacon, and Crispy Pig Ear), Roasted Beast of the Day (this time it was a suckling pig. Jake had it before and it was a roasted goat that he said was excellent) and also a side of the Soft Polenta.
And, yes, I did say a pig's ear. It was cut in a julienne and fried. Sadly, it was too crunchy for my mouth, but I did manage to eat one and it was delicious. In fact, everything was delicious, but way too much food. We ended up getting our remaining food boxed and then we left. It was a fantastic experience for a Foodie!!!
Back on the roads and they hadn't improved with time (well, it was still snowing). Sadly, in talking about the evening, we all realized that the only ones we could tell that would really appreciate just what it meant to us were all in the same damn car!
Finally we got back home, safe and sound and still stuffed. We all changed into more comfortable clothes and then began the second half of the evening's culinary entertainment: We watched the movie Ratatouille. [It's an animated film about a rat in Paris who become a great chef, Mom]
When that was done, so were we, so we all headed off to our respective beds.
Thanks again, guys!